Health Clubs

The Differences between Health Clubs and Gyms

The Differences between Health Clubs and Gyms

Many people who are in good physical shape or wish to be will join a health club. Once a place for only the rich or elite, health clubs are now very affordable and can be paid on a month-to-month basis instead of all up front as in past years. This makes membership a possibility for a whole new set of health-conscious Americans.

When deciding which health clubs may be best for them, most people do not realize that there could be a big difference between a health club and a gym. While some people use these terms interchangeably, the truth is that there is usually a big difference between each one. Those differences could determine which one you should join and whether or not you would be happy there (and therefore whether it is even worth your hard-earned money).

A gym is usually a place where there are a lot of cardio and weight machines, along with some free weights. They may or may not offer additional services like personal trainers or special classes. A traditional gym usually is very basic and does not have a ton of amenities. However, the price is usually smaller than an all-out health club and so therefore may be desirable to some. But again, be patient in your search and look at gyms, even if you want the extras of a health club. Many people use the word interchangeably and so a workout center billed as a ‘gym’ may have more than you bargained for.

Health clubs are usually gyms taken to a new level. They will have all the things a basic gym has and then some. Many offer special aerobics, pilates or yoga classes, usually for a nominal extra fee per class. You can almost always find a personal trainer, though some are simply endorsed by the health club and don’t actually work there. Many offer other special and luxurious amenities like spas, pools, saunas and even massage and lifestyle and dieting classes. A few will even have drink and food stands so that you can take home nutritious, pre-cooked food.

With so many choices out there, it is not an easy task to decide on which gym or health clubs to join. However, knowing what you want, making a list and then comparing places in your budget that have everything on that list is a good place to start. Since many places are month-to-month and offer free trials, you can try out several places before committing. Gyms and health clubs can become a very important part of your health and your life- so make sure you shop around and find the right one for you.